Question: I have a very large family and my mom is stuck
on me staying with her during my treatment so she can help me take
care of my 3 kids.
I am hoping that i won't need any help and will breeze right thru
treatment with no problems but my realistic side is saying that may
not be the case.
My mom's question is about me being around kids during treatment,
now I don't care what type of treatment I have I plan on hugging and
kissing my babies daily but I will take precautions as to germs. I
have heard people say that their counts were lowest around day 10
-14 ...
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Karl writes: The risk of infection
depends on the kind of therapy and the dose. My impression is
that the nadir (the low point) for blood counts is typically 10
days after you receive chemotherapy.
I think it's wise (as you've done) to discuss what is happening
and how it might change routines for a short while. I suppose
hugs are a nice and relatively safe substitute for kisses during
therapy.
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Sue writes: I went through 8
cycles of RCHOP and more chemo before an auto stem cell
transplant with two young children. During chemo I hugged them a
lot and did not do a lot of kissing. I was afraid of getting
infections from them so I used a lot of Purell.
I made them wash their hands when they came home from school. I
also used a separate bathroom from the rest of the family.
I think they would have been clueless about me going through
treatment but once my hair fell out they new something was not
right. At the time my son was 3 and my daughter was 5. I just
told them I had a booboo and needed medicine for it that would
cause my hair to fall out.
I was able to do a lot during RCHOP, I went hiking and I did a
lot of walking. Everyone handles chemo differently. I tried to
be as normal as possible around the children. When they were in
school I tried to take a half hour nap while they were gone, so
I could be ready for them when they came home. I took them to
parks, the beach etc. I did not want them to see me sick.
On the days I received CHOP my husband took over bathing and
caring for them. If you have any questions PM me. Best of
luck....Sue
My husband is going through RCHOP now and we have three little
ones 4 and under. He still hugs, but tries to avoid kisses if
possible. We do the Purell and hand washing as much as possible.
Our oncologist seemed to think it was unrealistic to recommend
staying away from your own kids! He just said to try to be
careful.
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Jen writes: It sounds like you are
handling it really well with your kids - in terms of preparing
them.
We told our 4 year old that Daddy was sick and that the medicene
he was taking made his hair fall out. We tried to be light
hearted about it.
Everyone takes turns feeling his head and telling him how silly
he looks. The other two are way too little to even realize
anything is really going on. He's been fortunate to not have
suffered any nausea yet, although we have been dealing with a
neutropenic fever these last couple days.
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Beth writes: Hi! I am really just
echoing what others have said.
I went through 5 round of RCHOP and have kids ranging in age
from 5 to 14. We did lots of hugging...and stopped sharing
drinks...probably a good idea anyway :-)
I took help when I needed it, but was able to just be "mom" most
of the time.
I lost my hair and worried my youngest would be upset, but in
reality she giggled with me while my best friend shaved my head
and helped me pick out hats and bandanas. She helped me keep a
smile on my face and not take myself too seriously.
At one point, my oldest (a boy - age 14) caught me looking in
the mirror trying to fix a bandana and said..."mom, you look
great...just go with it!" Kids are great...give yours a hug for
me :-)
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